Pointing the way to safer roads
Road safety experts in Malaysia are advocating for the immediate issuance of demerit points upon the issuance of traffic summonses rather than waiting for payment. They argue that this shift would act as a stronger deterrent against dangerous driving behaviors and help reduce the country's high rate of road fatalities.
Why it matters
Implementing immediate demerit systems could significantly improve road safety and reduce the high volume of traffic-related deaths by enforcing immediate accountability.
PETALING JAYA: Motorists should face the consequences of traffic offences immediately, with demerit points imposed when summonses are issued rather than paid, say road safety experts.
Road Safety Council of Malaysia executive council member Datuk Suret Singh said swift punitive action could influence behavioural change and should be incorporated into the revamped Kejara or Demerit Points System for Traffic Offences.
Under the current system, demerit points are only awarded once a summons is paid.
“The mindset should be towards being cautious of committing traffic offences as it not only risks fines, but the immediate issuance of demerit points which can lead to licence suspensions,” he said.
“This is the desired deterrence for behaviour changes that road safety experts and activists have been advocating for.”
Suret proposed lowering the threshold for licence suspension to 15 points from the current 20.
For serious offences, he suggested imposing five demerit points each.
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